Places to Check Out in Houston During #AAJA18

The 2018 AAJA National Convention is taking place in Houston, TX August 8-11. We asked convention co-chairs and Houston locals Michelle Choi and Pooja Lodhia about some must-see places to check out in Houston. Learn more below and register for #AAJA18 today.

Chinatown! Houston is home to one of the largest Asian populations in the country, so it only makes sense that Chinatown is a must visit destination! Asian owned restaurants, bars and massage parlors line a six-square-mile area. But, like everything in our diverse city, Chinatown isn’t just about China— it’s home to hundreds of Thai, Japanese, Chinese, Malaysian and Vietnamese businesses. Here are a few of our recommendations:

Located in the heart of Bellaire, this casual laid-back restaurant has the bold and spicy flavors of good ole’ crawfish topping its menu, which brings out the best of Vietnamese and Cajun fusion cuisine, plus a flare of contemporary style through its food and venue. A must-try!

Looking for a quick bite on the go, or need to get some Asian food shopping done? Take a quick tour of H-Mart in Bellaire, the Asian grocery store chain has everything from hard to find Asian condiments, to packaged foods, to even ready to serve meals on the go!

If you love spicy, and even more spicy, look no further than Bellaire’s famous Mala Sichuan Bistro! Offering Sichuan Chinese food, this highly rated and Houstonian favorite casual dinery brings a combination of flavors you can taste through their peppers used in chicken, pork, and beef dishes, to even a variety of their vegetarian dishes as well.

Gandhi District! Houston’s “India Town” is the perfect place for a fun afternoon of food, shopping and people watching.

Combining Indian and Pakistani specialties, this restaurant isn’t a fancy venue but their food is top notch quality! Even recognized by famed chef and host Anthony Bourdain, this laid-back eatery has won countless awards for some of the best dishes in Houston. From their famed Chicken Hara Masala to a variety of spicy curry dishes, this Houston staple is a must-try.

Downtown Houston has become a nightlife destination over the past few years. Walk outside your hotel, and you’ll find restaurants, bars and a theatre scene that might surprise you. Much of downtown Houston was devastated during Hurricane Harvey, but downtown is now back open for business.

Quirky Houston! In case you haven’t noticed, Houston can be a pretty strange place. We’re the only major city without zoning, so don’t be surprised if you find a strip club next to your apartment or a liquor store outside your local church. While it is pretty easy to find quirky activities in Houston, we figured we’d help you out with a few recommendations.